Sleep Department Nomenclature
The clinical department that evaluates and treats sleep disorders is most commonly called Sleep Medicine or the Sleep Medicine Department.
Standard Terminology in Clinical Practice
Sleep Medicine is the established term for this medical subspecialty that emerged in the second half of the twentieth century 1, 2. This designation clearly reflects both the clinical and scientific foundations of the field.
Alternative Names Used in Healthcare Settings
- Sleep Disorders Center or Sleep Center - commonly used for facilities that provide diagnostic and therapeutic services 3
- Sleep Laboratory or Sleep Lab - often refers specifically to the diagnostic testing facility where polysomnography is performed 4
- Behavioral Sleep Medicine - a subspecialty designation that emerged from health psychology and sleep disorders medicine, focusing on psychological factors and non-pharmacologic interventions 5
Organizational Context
The field is governed by professional organizations that use consistent terminology:
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) establishes standards and clinical practice guidelines for sleep diagnostics and therapeutics 6
- Sleep medicine specialists practice within departments that may be affiliated with neurology, psychiatry, pulmonology, or exist as independent sleep medicine departments 7
Important Clinical Note
When referring patients or seeking consultation, use "Sleep Medicine" as the department name, as this is the universally recognized term across healthcare systems 3, 2. The term encompasses the full spectrum of sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment, from insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea to circadian rhythm disorders and parasomnias 4.